Decorative crucifix.



J. J. KUGEL.

DECORATIVE CRUCIFIX.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I4. 1918.

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEEI 1.

O O O O O O 1.1. KUGEL.

DECORATIVE CRUGIFJX.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1918.

1394,2790 Patented Feb.11,1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2. 5

JOSEPH J'. KUGEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DECORATIVE CRUCIFIX.

Application meanarch 14, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH J. KUGEL, a citizen of the United States, reslding at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Decorative Crucifixes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in decorative Crucifixes.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved structure comprising an illuminated crucifix and a, decorative adjustable support, whereby the crucifix may be adjustably fixed at varying altitudes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cruciform casing for containing electric lamps, before the opening in which the translucent crucifix, proper, is mounted.

Another object is to provide means for mounting the translucent parts of the crucifix in the surrounding frame and securing the latter to the casing.

Other and more specific objects of my invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art, from a consideration of the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of the crucifix and the adjustable support on which it is mounted.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section through the casing taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear elevation showing part of the casing broken away, to show the interior.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the top of the stand or casing sup-port.

Fig. 5 is a section through a part of the ill uminated front of the frame of the crucinx.

In all the views the same reference characters are employed to indicate similar parts.

The device is intended for use by funeral directors in connection with funeral displays at funerals, etc.

It is arranged so that the crucifix may be raised to various altitudes and fixed, thus to harmonize with the associated decorative means that may be used therewith.

The device is conveniently arranged so that it may be knocked down, or dismembled, and packed in small compass for transportation and to be as quickly assembled and put in place ready for the illumination,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

Serial No. 222,521.

which may be supplied by the attaching plug being connected to any electric light circuit from which the lights are distributed.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, 10 is a base. The base should be made of relatively heavy material, such as cast iron to give it weight and finished on its upper surface, and from the center of the base rises a tube 11, preferably a brass tube, provided with a head 12 on its upper end for a clamping screw 13. Telescopically associated with the tube 11, is another similar tube 1%, which is axially movable in the former tube and which can be fixed in its adjusted position by means of the screw 13. On the upper end of the tube 14 is a relatively small head 15 upon which is mounted a base 16. A crucifix 17 isdetachably secured to the base 16 by means of a sliding clamp, C0111- posed of the member 18 which is secured to the base 16, and a cotiperating clamp member 19, which is secured to the casing of the crucifix 17. The clamping members 18 and 19 are tapered from the front with their side edges converging toward each other, in the rear, as shown in Fig. l, so that the crucifix 17, may be slidingly removed from its position'on the base 16. The member 18, which is fixed to the base, has inturned ends 20, and the member 19, which is fixed to the crucifix casing, has outwardly and downwardly turned ends 21 which engage under the ends 20. Both of the members are tapered and therefore the crucifix may be quickly and conveniently arranged upon the base 16 and as quickly removed therefrom.

On each side of the crucifix 17 in the base 16, is a perforation in which to removably support candle holders 23 and 24, respectively. These holders are decorative in character, and on their free ends 25 and 26, lihey each provide a socket for the candles 27 and 28, respectively. When it is desirable to disassemble the parts, these holders 23 and 24 may be removed from the sockets in the base 16, and packed away in compact space. The decoration of the holders 23 and 24 corresponds in character and harmon ize with the decorations 29 and 30, on the upper end of the tube 11, and which projects from the head 13. The crucifix, as a whole, comprises a casing, cruciform in outline, having two laterally projecting arms, 31 and 32, and a vertically projecting arm 33, thereabove. The longer arm 34: comprises a standard for the casing, upon which the other arms are supported. A door is piv-' oted at the rear, as at 35, in the longer arm and covers the portions of the casing just described. A fixed panel 36, below the door, and to which the said door is pivoted, provides a means through which the electrically conducting, flexible cable 37 may be passed, so that the circuits will not be disturbed when the door is opened. The two wires, 38 and 39, comprising the cable 37, contain lamps 40, 41, a2 and as, in parallel circuit. A latch 45 is secured to the body part of the casing at the top of the door, and is the means for holding the door closed.

The crucifix, proper, consists of a stained glass panel or a series of panels l6, properly secured in the border frame 48. The border consists of the perforate plate of stained glass 49, having projecting therefrom, at frequent intervals, a series of glass buttons or hemispheres 50, and which are held in place by a backing plate 51, the latter being perforated so that the light may shine through the buttons from the interior, without obstruction. The plates 4-9 and 51 enter the groove in the molding 52 and the back surface of this molding is secured to flanges 53 of the casing, as by soldering. On t -e panel 46 may be painted the picture, at, of the Saviour crucified, which is usual in devices of this character.

The edge of the panels 46, and the edge of the plates 49 and 51, may be held in place by bars -55, one on the front surface and one on the rear surface.

Strengthening anchor bars 56, may be placed on the inside-of the door and may extend from end to end through the chambers in the arms 31 and 82, to strengthen the door and to more securely hold it in its place with reference to the remaining portion of the casing.

When the parts are assembled, as shown in Fig. 1, they present a very imposing and beautiful structure, and when the lamps within the cruciform casing are lighted, the decorated translucent panel is beauteously illuminated, which together with the decorations and the candles on either side of the crucifix, makes a very attractive appearance.

While l have herein shown a single embodiment of my invention, for the purpose of clear disclosure, it is manifest that many changes and variations in arrangement of the parts may be made within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. An illuminated crucifix comprising a base having an upwardly projecting tube provided with a head on its upper end; another tube telescopically associated with the first mentioned tube; a head on the upper end of the last mentioned tube; a taperedslidable clamp member thereon; a cruel casing having a cooperating slidable clamp member to engage the first mentioned member and a screw to hold the tubes in adjusted position to vary the altitude of the crucifix casing.

2. An illuminated crucifiX comprising a base having an upwardly-projecting tube provided with a head on its upper end; a tube, telescopically associated with the first mentioned tube; a head on the upper end of the last mentioned tube, perforated on each side of the central zone for candle holders; a tapered-slidable clamp member on said head; a crucifix casing, having a cooperating slidable clamp member to engage the first mentioned member; a decorative candle holder, one on each side of said casing, detachably secured to said head, in said perforations, and a screw for holdingthe said tube in adjusted position to raise and lower the crucifix and candle holders.

8. A device of the character described comprising an open, metallic, cruciform casing; a panel fixed in the lower vertical member of the casing having a perforation therein to introduce circuit wires; a door hinged to the upper edge of said panel to close the other members of the casing; a latch to hold the door closed; an illuminatable cover for the front end of the casing having a marginal frame projecting beyond the outer edge of the door, adapted to be secured to the casing, a lamp in each arm of the cross; circuit wires entering through the perforations in said fixed panel and connected to said lamps, and means carried by said structure, below the fixed panel for detachably securingthe same to a support.

in testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand.

:lUSEPl-l J. KUGEL 

